Identifying your Spiritual Gifts 1 Corinthians 12:1-11

Read 1 Corinthians 12:1-11. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. Tonight we will think about the different spiritual gifts members of the Group may have. Note that EVERY Christian will have one or more spiritual gifts, one or more ways in which God the Holy Spirit works through each one “for the common good”. These gifts are not static or fixed – God can give an individual different gifts at different times depending on the needs of the church.

Read the passages below and quickly make a list of the “spiritual gifts” mentioned. It might help if Group members write the list down. NB I have deliberately left out celibacy and martyrdom!

1 Corinthians 12:7-11 again

1 Corinthians 12:27-30

Ephesians 4:11-13

1 Peter 4:10-11

Romans 12:6-8

Exodus 31:1-5

Note that the first mention of gifting by the Holy Spirit in the Bible is concerned with “skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts.” From this ask the group to suggest ways of serving God which do not feature on the classical list of “spiritual gifts” found in the New Testament passages. Suggestions could include administration, welcoming, encouraging, musical and artistic gifts.

Get into pairs. Each person should tell the other, “The spiritual gift(s) I think God has given me is/are …… because …….” For a couple of minutes the person should talk about one or two occasions when God has used them through exercising that gift. (This question should only take 6-7 minutes)

Now go round the group one by one. For each person, the other one in their pair should begin by telling the whole group “I believe the spiritual gift(s) God has given this person is/are ….. because…….” Then other members of the group can join in, either saying “I agree that that is your gift because …..” and talking about some occasion when they saw or heard the person exercising that gift. Alternatively Group members may say “I believe your gift could also be ……(something different) because …..” It will NOT be appropriate for anybody to say “You’re wrong – your gift is not …. !” The idea is to ENCOURAGE each other! Conclude by praying for each other